Video shows immediate aftermath of Samoan tsunami

(NECN/APTV) – New video shows the moments just after the Samoan tsunami stuck the US territory of American Samoa, leaving behind a swath of devastated buildings and debris. Amateur video obtained by the Associated Press and shot by a local security guard shows tsunami waters surging into the harbor in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The video shows the guard shouting at people near the edge of the water to move away from the rising tsunami waters. “Oh, my god, here it comes,” the guard can be heard saying on camera. The video shows a person in the harbor trying to swim to safety, and boats, cars and trucks floating in submerged streets. Around 170 people were killed when the tsunami struck the Pacific Islands this week, including129 in Samoa, 32 in the nearby US territory of American Samoa and nine in Tonga. Many low lying villages were wiped out after an earthquake triggered a tsunami. AP Television footage shows water rushing into Pago Pago and the extent of devastation caused to buildings and structures in the moments immediately after the flood water receded. American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would establish an office where displaced residents can get housing assistance. Officials said the focus is shifting from rescuing lives to providing survivors with food, water and power. They expected almost all of the territory to have power from generators within three to five days. Taule’alea Laavasa, chairman of the Samoan government’s National Disaster Advisory Committee, said relief work was going well with the help of neighbours including New Zealand and Australia. But many survivors refused to return to their villages. In the American Samoa village of Leone, residents estimate the tsunami destroyed about one-third of the coastal village, population 3,000. The victims were mostly elderly or toddlers. More than 245 federal emergency workers coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency have delivered tens of thousands of meals and hundreds of tents and cots. Power generators and medical supplies have also been flown in. National Guard troops carried on five C-17 cargo flights have carried vehicles, trailers, communication equipment, blankets and water. They also brought mortuary affairs specialists. The National Guard said in a statement that the main problem was helping families displaced when their homes were destroyed.